Friesland School, located in Sandiacre, Nottinghamshire, has recently undergone an inspection on November 21 and 22, 2023, and has been rated as good in overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision. The school is led by headteacher Craig Patterson and is part of The Two Counties Trust, overseen by CEO Wesley Davies and a board of trustees chaired by Karen Potts.
The school fosters a positive environment where pupils feel supported and valued. Staff members have high expectations for students, promoting values such as teamwork, honesty, and respect. Relationships between staff and pupils are generally respectful, and pupils feel comfortable discussing any concerns with staff. The school has enhanced its pastoral support to meet the needs of its students, ensuring they understand how to keep themselves safe and feel secure in their learning environment.
Pupils benefit from a well-rounded education, with a curriculum that allows them to explore a variety of subjects. In Years 7 and 8, students study a broad range of subjects, with subject specialists identifying key knowledge that is logically ordered to facilitate learning. At the end of Year 8, pupils can choose subjects to study in greater depth, which helps them align their studies with future aspirations. The curriculum in key stages 4 and 5 is also well-structured, with opportunities for pupils to revisit topics they may have previously studied.
Teachers demonstrate good subject knowledge and utilize effective teaching methods, including the ‘Friesland lesson’ toolkit, which provides strategies for effective instruction. However, there are instances where these methods are not consistently applied, leading to some pupils not achieving the depth of understanding intended by the curriculum. The school is actively working to ensure that all teachers adhere to the established teaching methods to enhance student learning outcomes.
The school effectively supports pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring their needs are accurately identified and addressed. Additionally, the school promotes reading through a well-resourced library and a phonics curriculum for younger pupils, fostering a culture of reading across the school.
In the sixth form, students receive expert guidance and support, preparing them well for their future endeavors. The school also emphasizes the importance of careers education, providing pupils with insights into various job opportunities and age-appropriate relationships education.
While the school maintains a calm and orderly atmosphere, some pupils have expressed concerns regarding the consistency of the behaviour policy. They feel that not all staff enforce the policy uniformly, which can lead to disruptions in lessons. The school recognizes the need to ensure that all staff apply the behaviour policy fairly and consistently to maintain a conducive learning environment.
Overall, the school is committed to continuous improvement, with ongoing monitoring of the curriculum and teaching practices to ensure that all pupils receive a high-quality education. The leadership team, in collaboration with the trust, is focused on deploying resources effectively to sustain the school's good performance. The safeguarding arrangements in place are effective, ensuring the safety and well-being of all pupils. The school is dedicated to fostering an environment where every pupil can thrive academically and personally.
